Circuit-controller.



PATENTED NOV. 27, 1906.

J. P. POOL. 1

I CIRCUIT CONTROLLER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 13,1905.

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J. P'. POOL.

CIRCUIT CONTROLLER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 13,1905.

No. 836,827. PAIENTED NOV. 27, 1906. J. P. POOL. QIRGUIT CONTROLLER.APPKCIIOATION FILED JUNE 13.1905.

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J. P. POOL. OIROUIT'GONTROLLER. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 13,1905.

10 w w W 9 f f 8 a a ta 6 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES P. POOL, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

' CIRCUIT-CONTROLLER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 27, 1906.

Application filed June 13, 1905. Serial No. 266,009-

To all whom it may concern:

- Be it known that I, JAMES P. PooL, a citizen of the United States,residing in the borough of Brooklyn, county of Kings, city and formusical-instrument transposers operated through the agencyof a keyboard,such as a piano or organ; and it has for its particular object toprovide transposing means whereby the pitch of the soundsproduced inaccompaniment with the operation of the keys may be varied, so thatwithout retuning the musical instrument, or in the case of pianosvarying the condition of tensionof the strings, the pitch of the soundsproduced ,in accom paniment with the depression of the keys may bevaried throughout thewhole series of keys, hammers, and-their respectivestrings.

The invention has for itsflparticular object to providemusicalinstrumentsfof the chap acter described which will be relativelysim ple and inexpensive in construction and generally superior inpointof serviceability, simplicity in operation, and general efficiency.The invention will be generally described with respect to its broadfeatures of improvements, then specifically described, and finallypointed out in a series of claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a sectional elevation of the action andkeyboard of a piano constructed according to the invention, showing oneof the keys, one of the hammers of the same, and one of the dampers ofthe same, the key and hammer being in inoperative position and thedamper being in operative position. Fig. 2 is a similar view, the keyand hammer being in operative position and the damper being ininoperative position. Fig. 3 isa sectional elevation of the same, takenin a plane at right angles to that of Figs. 1 and 2 and showing theparts in the same position as in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a detailed face viewof a controlling and indicating member for showing the key in which thepiano is to be played; and Fig. 5 is a detail vertical sectional view ofthe same, partly in full lines, taken upon the line 5 5, Fig. 4. Fig. 6is an enlarged front elevation of a circuit-controlling memberconstituting an essential element of the invention looking in thedirection of the arrow in Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 7 is a partiallongitudinal axial sectional view of the same, partly in full lines.Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the same, taken at right angles to theplane of section of Fig. 7, upon the line 8 8, Fig. 6, and looking inthe direction of the appended arrow. Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic viewillustrating the electrical circuit system whereby the electromagneticoperative members are connected. Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 6,showing a modified form of construction; and Fig. 11 is a detail Viewsimilar to Fig. 1 and showing a modified form of construction inclusiveof the member illustrated in Fig. 10.

Corresponding parts in all the figures are denoted bythe same referencecharacters.

Referring with particularity to the drawings, in which the inventionisillustrated as comprised Within and adapted to the use of a piano, andFigs. 1 to 9, inclusive, A denotes the casing of an upright piano, ofwhich casing a denotes the forward wall, through which extends the keysB, black and white, as in the ordinarily-constructed piano. 0 denotesthe piano-strings, in connection with which operate the hammers D andthe dampers E, said erence character F,) the action being inclosedwithin the casing A." In Figs. 1 and 2 the action complete for one ofthe strings C is illustrated, and the action for each of the strings isoperatedby one of the keys B through the instrumentality ofelectromagnetic means G and a circuit-controlling member H, through theagency ofwhich latter upon depression of the respective key B a circuitis established through the respective electromagnet G. In the drawings aconstruction and arrangement of parts and members is illustrated whichprovides for rendering each of the hammers D operative when an electriccircuit is closed through its respective electromagnetic .means G, therespective damper E being at the same time rendered inoperative.

The cirCu1t-controlling member H comprisesla plurality of sectlons it,one for each of the keys B, and each of the sections h is provided witha plurality of contacttermi l nals K, the number of saidcontact-terminals being preferably the same as the number of tones andsemitones in an octave-namely,

12: C, C-sharp, D, D-sharp, E, F, F-sharp, G,

G-sharp, A, A-sharp, and Band each of the transversely of and beneaththe keys B and is rotatably mounted'to permit of bringing the severalcontact-terminals K of each of the sections successively into theposition for engagement by the contact-terminal L of the respective keyB. In the drawings only a few of the strings C, action groups F, andkeys B are illustrated, and the circuitcontrolling member H is shown asprovided with a similar number of the sections it to represent simplythe construction of the piano with respect to the production of thetones and semitones of asingle octave; but it will be understood thatthe invention contemplates the construction and provision of parts andmembers in suflicient duplication to provide a piano capable of beingplayed half octaves or any other complement of octaves, as desired.

M designates a controlling and indicating member whereby thecircuit-controlling member H may be adjusted by rotation, so that thekey in which the piano is played may be varied as desired withoutvariation in the method and scheme of manipulation of the keys, andwhereby the key in which the piano is set to be played is denoted whenthe circuit-controllng member H is in any given position.

A preferred form of construction, relative arrangement, and connectionof parts and members of a piano embodying the invention is as follows:Extending longitudinally within the casing A at right angles to andabove the keys B is an action-rail 12, with which the hammers D arepivotally connected, as at 13, in position for beingactuated into andout of operative contact with the strings C. The dampers E are alsopivotally connected with the action-rail 12, as at 14, and are normallyforced into engagement with the strings C by springs 15.

The hammers and dam ers may be of the ordinary or any preferred form,each of the hammers D being provided with a contacthead 16, a stem 17,and a butt 18 and each of the dampers E being extended below its pointof pivotal support 14, as at 19. In their normal positions the dampersrest against the strings C and the stems 17 of the hammers rest inpositions inclined away from the strings C and against a stop-rail 20,extending throughout the casing A, parallel with the action-rail 12.

The electromagnetic means G are carried by a bar or rail 21, whichextends throughout the casing A, also in parallelism with the rails 12and 20 and between the action-rail 12 and in the full complement ofseven and one-' the front walla of the casing A. The electromagneticmeans G comprise a separate electromagnet 22 for actuating each of thehammers D and its respective damper E, each of said electromagnets beingconnected with and supported by the rail 21. Said electromagnets 22 areclosely grouped together in an extended series, as illustrated.

The construction of each of the action groups of the action F apart fromthe hammer and the damper E comprises in its particular adaptation tothe requirements of the features of the invention an armature-lever 23,which is associated with the respective electromagnet 22 and directlyactuates the respective damper E, and a jack 24, which directly actuatesthe respective hammer D and is operated by and pivotally connected withthe respective armature-lever 23 through the agency of a connectingplate or plates 25. The armature-levers 23 are arranged in a se riesbeneath and are each pivotally connected with the action-rail 12,v as at26, and each of the same, rearward of its point of pivotal support 26,is provided with a foot 27, which is arranged to bear upon the extensionof the damper E beneath its point of pivotal support 14 to withdraw thedampers from the respective string 0. The jack 24 is connected with thearmature-lever 23 and supported thereby by means of the plate or plates25 at its lower extremity, as at 27 at a point 28 forward of the point26 of pivotal support of the respective armature-lever 23, the jack 24extending substantially vertically and the armature-lever 23 extendingsubstantially horizontally. The jack 24 is provided with a forwardlyextending foot 29, between which and the armature-lever 23 is interposeda coil-spring 30, which tends to force said jack 24 rearwardly andtoward the action-rail 12. The upper and operative end portion 31 of thejack 24 engages with the hammer-butt 18 in a notch 32, formed in thesame, whereby upon elevation of the armature-lever 23 the hammer-head 16is thrown against the respective string C. The armature-levers 23, ofwhich two are shown in Fig.

2, respectively in depressed and elevated positions, are limited intheir depression by a stop-rail 33, which ranges through the casing Aparallel with the action-rail 12 and beneath the armature-levers 23. Theforward or free end of each of the armature-levers 23 is provided withan armature-head 34, which is arranged directly beneath the core of therespective electromagnet 22 and is directly acted upon in theenergization of said electromagnet to lift the respective armature-lever23, causing the withdrawal of the respective damper E from therespective string C and the throwing of the hammer-head 16 against therespective string C through the instru mentality of the foot 27 and thelever 23.

The circuit-controlling member H is arranged within an inclosing casing35, disposed beneath the series of keysB, and is rotatably mounted bymeans of end bearings 36, of which but one is shown in the drawings, themember H being illustrated, as above set forth, to disclose in full buta certain number of the sections h. is extended exteriorly of the casing35 and provided with a hand-wheel or knob 37-and indicating disk orwheel 38, which together constitute the controlling and indicatingmember M, the disk or wheel 38 being pro vided upon its periphery withmusical scale characters arranged to correspond with the longitudinalseries of contact-terminals K of the circuit-controlling member H, sothat the proper scale character will appear through the sight-opening39, formed in a cylindrical casing 40, inclosing the disk or wheel 38,to indicate the key in which the piano is set to play. In the drawingsthe controlling member M and the circuit-controlling member H are inpositions of adjustment to permit of playing the piano in the key of C,the character c appearing in Fig. 3 through the sight-opening 39. Thecylindrical casing 40 is arranged exteriorly of the casing 35 at one endof the piano.

The circuit-controlling member H comprises, as above recited, aplurality of sections it, each of which is provided with a circular bodyor disk 41 of insulating material, which disks are arranged side by sidewith faces opposed one to the other and slightly spaced one from theother, being tied together by a plurality of tie-rods 42, extendinglongitudinally of the member H parallel to its axis of rotation andresting in notches 43, cut in the peripheries of the bodies or disks 41.The tie-rods 42 are bolted at their ends to end plates 44, with whichthe bearings 36 are connected. The bodies or disks 41 are annular inform, providing circular central openings 45, which register throughoutthe entire series and in which lie a plurality of electrical conductorsor electrical connections 46, each of which is electrically connectedwith one of the contact-terminals K upon one of the sections 71 of themember H and is also electrically connected with one of theelectromagnets 22. As there is one of the electromagnets 22 provided foreach of the roups of the action F, in a seven and one half octave pianothere would'be ninety of the conductors 46 of the circuitcontrollingmember H and correspondingly ninety of the electromagnets 22. Each ofthe electromagnets 22 is also electrically connected with a source ofelectrical energy O, which is in turn electrically connected with eachof the contact-terminals L of the several keys As previously stated, thecontact-terminals K of the several sections 71. of thecircuit-controlling member H are arranged in series longitudinally ofsaid member H, and there are,

One of the end bearings 36 as illustrated, twelve of such longitudinalseries, which when respectively arranged in po-- sitions for theengagement of their several units by the contact-terminals L of the keysof any given octave of tones will enable the piano to be played in thekeys designated by the characters appearing through the sightopening 39in the casing 40, thus permitting of the transposition of the keywithout changing the lingering of the keys of any one octave of thepiano.

' One of the longitudinal series of contactterminals K, being in thedrawings that one which is arranged at the top of Fig. 6 and being theseries which is arranged to be engaged by the contact-terminals L whenthe character c appears through the sightopening 39 in the casing 40, iselectrically connected with the several electromagnets 22 by means ofthe electrical conductors 46 in the following manner: The bodies ordisks 41 are of insulating material, the contact-terminals K being setinto the peripheries of the same. The contact-terminal K of each disk orbody 41, which is electrically connected with one of the electricalconductors 46, is directly electrically connected, as at 48, with anannular plate 47 by a circuit-wire 49, and the respective electricalconductor 46 is at one end connected, as at 51 with a supplementalannular plate 50, which surrounds'the group of conductors 46 and bearsupon the plate 47 in electrical contact. The plates 47 and 50 are ofconducting material, the plate 47 rotating with the respective disk orbody 41 and the plate 50 being held against rotation by the respectiveelectrical conductor 46. Each of the disks or bodies 41 is thus providedwith a conducting-plate 47, which is electrically connected with one ofthe con tact-terminals K, which it carries and which rotates with thesaid disk or body 41, each plate 47 also being in electrical contactwith aseparate electrical plate 50, which is electrically connected withone of the electrical conductors 46, which in turn is elec-' IlCtrically connected with one'of the electromagnets 22. As each of theelectromagnets is electrically connected with a common circu'it-wire 52,which extends to the source of electrical supply 0, and as each of thekeys is electrically connected with a common circuitwire 53, whichextends to the source of elec trical supply 0, it results that if thelongitudinal series of contact-terminals K, which are electricallyconnected through the plates 47 and 50, carried by their respectivebodies or disks 41, with the respective electrical conductors 46, arearranged in positions for electrical engagement by the contact-terminalsL of the keys B the depression of any one of said keys will cause theclosing of an electrical circuit through one of the electromagnets 22and the actuation of the respective hammer D and damper E. Theelectrical connections of the contact-terminals K of the saidlongitudinal series which are arranged for electrical engagement by thecontact-terminals L when the piano is to be played in the key of O aresuch that when any one of the keys of the piano is depressed itsnormally associated tone will be produced by the energization of theproper electromagnet 22 for the actuation of the proper hammer D anddamper E.

To enable the key of the piano to be changed without changing thefingering of the several keys, by merely rotating thecircuit-controlling member H by means of the controlling and indicatingmember M the contact-terminals K of each of the longitudinal series ofsaid contact-terminals are connected together in the following manner:Each contact-terminal of each said longitudinal series, with the excetion of those of the longitudinal series whicii are arranged to beengaged by the contact-terminals L when the piano is to be played in thekey of C, is connected electrically with the contact-terminal in thesection it, which lies next adjacent to its own longitudinal series andnext forward in the direction of the arrow at the left-hand endof thecircuit-controlling member H in Fig. 3. When the member H is rotated inthe direction denoted by the latter arrow from the position denoted inthe drawings, it necessarily follows that as each succeedinglongitudinal series of contact-terminals K is brought into position forengagement by the contact-terminals L the depression of any key B willcause the energization of the proper electromagnet 22 to actuate thehammer D as many places removed from the hammer actuated By thedepression of the same key when the longitudinal series ofcontact-terminals (illustrated in the drawings) is in position for enagement by the contact-terminals L of the keys B as is the longitudinalseries of contact-terminals K at any time arranged beneath thecontact-terminals L removed in serial count from the longitudinal seriesof contact-terminals K, illustrated in the drawings contact-terminals L.In other words, when the character C appears through the sight-opening39 in the casing 40 the de ression of the white C key will cause t e C-string C to be sounded, and when the character (J-sharp appears throughthe si htopening 39 the depression of the white ey C will sound theO-sharp string C, because the contact-terminal K, which itscontactterminal L engages, is electrically connected with thecontact-terminal K, which is in turn electrically connected through therespective plates 47 and 50 and the respective electrical conductor 46with the respective magnet 22, which controls .the group of the actionF, which actuates the hammer D and damper E of the C-sh arp string C.

as beneath the i ssasav The several circuit-wires which connect thecontact-terminals K of the several longitudinal series of the sametogether electrically in the manner and according to the systerndescribed are designated by the reference character 54.

All of the conductors 46 are grou ed together to form a cable lyingwithin t e central openings 45 of the sections h, and said cable(designated by the reference character extends through the bearing 36 atone end of the member H, which is formed hollow to accommodate the same,said cable 55 being thence led in its several conductor units to theproper and respective electromagnets 22. c

In the diagrammatic view constituting Fig. 9 the method of wiring isclearly illustrated, and the several circuit-wires are dis tributedwithin the casing A in the manner providing for the most convenience andeconomy. In said diagrammatic view the armature-levers 23 are shown intheir proper operative arrangements with respect to the electromagnets22.

In the modified form of construction illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11 thecircuit-controlling member P is illustrated as arranged within a casing56, arranged above the keys B, and the twelve longitudinal series ofcontactterminals K of the same are shown as occupying the segment of butone-half a circle'in the cylindrical formation of the entire member B.The arrangement and connection of the circuit-wires 54 are shown asbeing the reverse of that illustrated in the other figures of thedrawings, the direction of rotation of the member P being reversed. Thecon struction of the member I is otherwise identical with that of themember H, with the exception that the circuit-wires 49, connecting thecontact-terminals K with the plates 47, are connected each by a separateWire 57 with the respective plates 50,'which are connected with therespective electrical conductors 46 to insure unfailing electricalconnection of the electrical conductors 46 and their respectivecontact-terminals K. The casing 56 is rovided with a sight-opening 57,throug which the longitudinal series of contact-terminals K may bedirectly viewed to permit of noting the key in which the piano is set tobe played, and to this end the several longitudinal series ofcontactterminals K or one of the contact-terminals of each of suchseries may be marked with or bear the key character or symbol, asindicated on one of the contact-terminals K at the left-hand end of oneof the longitudinal series of the same in Fig. 10.

It will be readily understood that the circuit-controlling member P maybe rotated in the same manner as the member H and that a piano in whichthe modified form of construction illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11 mightbe installed would be provided with the remaining features heretoforedescribed to constitute an operative mechanism.

The operation, method of use,- and advantages of a piano constructed inaccordance with the invention will be readily understood from theforegoing description, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings. and the following summarizing statement: In order to transposein the use of a piano constructed as ,described and illus-. trated, itis onlyv necessary to manipulate the controlling and indicating member Mso that thecharacter which is exposed through the sight-opening 59 inthe casing 40 will be that which indicates the key in which it isdesired to play the piano. The longitudinal series of contact-terminalsK, which are arranged beneath and in position for electrical engagementby the contact-terminals L of the keys B, determine which of the strings0 shall be played by the depression of the several keys of the keyboard,and in going from one key to another it is not necessary to depart fromthe one system of manipulation of the keys of the keyboard which holdsuniformly throughout the playing of the piano in various keys.

By the peculiar construction and method of electrical connection of theelectrical conductors 46, constituting the cable 55, the said cableremains stationary in spite of the rotation of the remaining portions ofthe circuit-controlling member H, permitting unfailing maintenance ofcircuit conditions in all ositions of adjustment of the circuit-controling member H. I

The construction is not unduly complicated and is adapted forlong-continued use without derangement of the working parts, and thenumber of moving parts of the action is'relatively decreased withrespect to that of the ordinary piano-action, assuring an accuracy andresponsiveness of operation which is of advantage in musical instrumentsof the class described.

Although I'have'described the invention as applied to a piano, it ismanifest that it may be equally readily adapted to musical instrumentsand other mechanisms and apparatus of a wide range of types.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Pat-' cut, is

v 1. In mechanism of the character described, an adjustable circuitcontrolling. member, comprising a plurality of annular sections each ofwhich is provided with a plurality of contact-terminals, electricalconnections extending between contact-terminals of one of said sectionsand contact-terminals of another of said sections, and a stationarycable passing through said annular sections and comprising a lurality ofseparate electrical conductors e ectrically connected wit saidcontact-terminals of said sections.

2. In mechanism of the character described, an adjustablecircuit-controlling member, comprising a plurality of jointly- Inovableannular sections each of which is provided with a contact-terminal, anda plurality of separate stationary electrical conductors passing throughsaid annular sections and extending respectively from saidcontact-terminals.

3. In mechanism of the character described, an adjustable circuitcontrolling member, comprising a plurality of annular sections each ofwhich is provided with a contact-terminal, and a stationary cablepassing through said annular sections and comprising a plurality ofseparate electrical conductors extending respectively from saidcontact-terminals. 7

41 In mechanism of the character described, a rotarycircuitrco'ntrolling member, comprising a plurality of annular sectionseach of which is provided with a contact-terminal, a separate plate uponeach of said sections and electrically connected with the respectivecontact-terminal, a stationary cable passing through said annularsections and comprising a plurality of separate electrical con uctors,and a plurality of other plates electrically connected respectively withsaid conductors and respectively in electrical contact with said platesupon said annular sections. Y

5. In mechanism of the character described, a rotary circuit-controllingmember,

each of which is provided with contact-terminals K, a separate late 47fixed upon each of said sections an electrically connected with one ofthe res ective contact-terminals K, a stationary cab e 55 passingthroughsuch annular sections and comprising a plurality rality of other plates50 electrically connected respectively with said conductors 46 andrespectively in electrical contact and in' sliding engagement with saidplates upon said annular sections, and a plurality of circuitwires eachof which electrically connects one of said latter plates with one ofsaid former plates.

-nameto this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES P. POOL.

Witnesses:

RAYMOND M. LEsLEE, M. R. MATTEO,

of separate electrical conductors 46, a plu' comprising a plurality ofannular sections In testimony whereof I have signed my I

